Senior Data Scientist

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE seeks a hybrid Data Scientist/Data Engineer to design data systems, apply advanced analytics and AI across mission problems, and deploy scalable solutions. You will work across data modeling, processing, and deployment while collaborating with teams on secure, impactful projects.

The role requires hands-on ML, NLP, anomaly detection, and data governance knowledge, with on-site presence three days per week and a TS clearance eligibility path.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related field; 5 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on proficiency with advanced Data Science techniques including ML, anomaly detection, and large datasets.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL; capable of software engineering best practices.

Responsibilities

• Prototype and evaluate DS/DE/AI approaches to feasibility and project needs.
• Lead simple projects or support tasks on complex projects.
• Communicate results clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Python

SQL

Machine Learning

Data Engineering

Big Data

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Master’s degree in CS/Math/Data Science (preferred)

PhD in CS/Math/Data Science (preferred)

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

Airflow

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

Department Summary

MITRE’s Data Science and Engineering department is looking for qualified applicants to bring their advanced data science, data engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and applied research skills to bear on solving problems of critical national importance. MITRE’s diverse work program provides opportunities to apply your expertise and creative thinking in challenging domains such as national security, intelligence, transportation, and healthcare. Employees may also participate in MITRE’s internal research and development program, which provides funding for innovative applied research that addresses our sponsors’ hardest problems.

Roles & Responsibilities

The successful candidate for this position is a hybrid Data Scientist and Data Engineer who combines strong foundations in computer science, mathematics, and software engineering with hands‑on experience designing data systems and applying advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI techniques to solve mission problems. This role requires practitioners who can operate across the full data lifecycle from data modeling, processing, and infrastructure engineering to statistical analysis, machine learning, experimentation, and operational deployment. Our organization values innovation and believes that keeping up with the latest research and technologies is essential.

The candidate should have hands‑on experience in several of the areas specified below, however it is not required that a candidate has experience in all of these areas.

Advanced Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

• Machine Learning and Model Evaluation (e.g., supervised, unsupervised, deep learning, reinforcement learning)
• Statistical Analysis and Exploratory Data Analysis (e.g., descriptive statistics, regression, visualization)
• Large Language Models and AI-Assisted Workflows
• Natural Language Processing (e.g., summarization, classification, entity recognition, topic modeling)
• Anomaly Detection and Predictive Modeling
• Graph Analytics (e.g. centrality, similarity, link prediction)

Data Engineering

• Distributed Data Processing and Big Data Architectures (e.g., Spark, Hadoop, Ray, Dask, Kafka)
• Data Pipeline/ETL Development and Orchestration (e.g., Airflow, Dagster, NiFi)
• Batch and Streaming Data Processing
• Data Modeling, Schema Design, and Data Quality Assessment
• Data Governance, Access Controls, and Secure Data Handling
• Cloud-based Data Platforms and Storage Architectures

Software Development and MLOps

• Computer Programming and Databases – Proficiency in Python and SQL required
• Software Engineering Best Practices (e.g., version control, testing, modular design)
• MLOps and Model Operationalization (e.g., model deployment, monitoring, reproducibility, containerization)
• Linux-based Development Environments, Git, Containers, and Cloud Platforms

Expectations for this position are as follows

• Rapidly prototypes and evaluates Data Science, Data Engineering, and AI/ML approaches to assess feasibility and support project needs.
• Leads simple projects or has accountability for tasks on a complex project; plans and guides the work of others.
• When in a contributor role, works independently and requires minimal instruction, guidance, and direction.
• Identifies and solves complex problems; takes new perspectives on existing solutions; exercises judgment within the Data Science and Data Engineering disciplines.
• Leverages advanced knowledge of Data Science and Data Engineering and shares that knowledge with others.
• Communicates complex results, both in writing and verbally, to technical and non-technical audiences.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related field with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on proficiency with advanced Data Science techniques, including Machine Learning (e.g., supervised, unsupervised, deep learning, reinforcement learning), anomaly detection, statistical analysis, and/or analysis of very large datasets.
• Computer programming skills (e.g., Python, R, C/C++, Java, Scala, Julia, Rust, MATLAB).
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related field with 3 years of relevant experience; PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or related field.
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s)

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s)

Top Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint

$124,400 - $155,500 - $186,600 Annual

Work Location Type

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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